News

The Admirals used two power-play goals to propel themselves past the IceHogs on Wednesday. (Photo by Greg Hamil)

03/11/2009 7:00 PM -

The IceHogs are 3-4-0-1 against Milwaukee in 2008-09

Rockford, Ill.-The Rockford IceHogs know they can beat the Milwaukee Admirals on the road, but with two games left at the Rockford MetroCentre against the West's top team in 2008-09, they now need to find a way to win at home.

The Hogs fell to 2-9-0-0 in their last 11 at the Big Orange Box with a 3-2 loss to Milwaukee on Wednesday. They are now 0-2-0-1 against the Ads in the Forest City this campaign.

"I thought we played well," winger Bryan Bickell said. "They got a lucky bounce and they got two power play goals. We just need to keep doing what we're doing and working on our special teams."

Milwaukee's Mark Dekanich shined in net with 46 saves to lead the Admirals, while Crawford finished with 29 saves in the loss.

"We threw everything at him," said Bickell, who has two goals and an assist in two games since returning from injury. "We tried to get the greasy goals and we threw everything at him but the kitchen sink it seemed like. But they had good defense and they got the puck out of the zone."

Down 3-1, the IceHogs made it interesting with a Bickell goal, the forward's second in two games, at 12:10 in the third period. Bickell redirected a Danny Groulx shot. Jack Skille was also credited with an assist.
But the IceHogs couldn't finish the comeback in the final half of the period.

"We just need to go into Texas and take four points now," Bickell said. Rockford leaves for a game against Houston and another against San Antonio this weekend.

In the first period on Wednesday, the Admirals took the lead when Cal O'Reilly picked up a loose puck at 9:30 and put it in the net. The assists went to Patric Hornqvist and Kelsey Wilson.
In his first game with the IceHogs, centerman Tyler Mosienko tied the game at 12:27 in the second with helpers from Jack Skille and Bickell.

"We had a lot of chances," Bickell said. "But I thought we could have had a couple more. I think we adjusted well. It was the first time with Mosienko in the line up and I thought he played well."

Then just 50 second later, O'Reilly gave Milwaukee the lead again on a power play. The assists went to Hornqvist and Mike Santorelli.The Admirals took a two-goal advantage when Hornqvist put the puck past Crawford on a power play at 4:27 in the third. The goal was assisted by O'Reilly and Cody Franson.

Milwaukee was 2-for-3 on the power play, while Rockford finished 0-for-4.

Next Home Game:Saturday, March 21 vs. Manitoba Moose.Game time is 7:05 p.m. The Rockford IceHogs welcome the first-place Moose into the Forest City for the final of two visits in 2008-09. The first 2,000 fans can pick up a replica Goalie Mask Bank courtesy of MembersAlliance Credit Union.